My new Rand's hat is on the way...

[Tanks]

Wait ... $1500 for a HAT! Really? I'm sorry but no felt hat could ever be THAT good. I am constantly being complimented on how nice my $20 grocery store crushable wool felt Indy hat looks on me.

I absolutely agree for felt hats, however @HankBuck was talking about the price range of beaver hats, $1,500 being the top end.

Back in those days a $125 price tag for a cowboy hat was good for a gasp.

Well, "back in those days" a truck was <$8K new and one could buy a house for about <$40K. Times have changed.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

The trackers are going to love their new hats.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Now if I opened a safari company it would be called Carruther's Safaris obviously, and all the staff would wear pithies obviously, and puttees.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Now if I opened a safari company it would be called Carruther's Safaris obviously, and all the staff would wear pithies obviously, and puttees.

And drive land rovers obviously

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

And drive land rovers obviously

Yes, of course, all Series 1's. Carruther's Safaris will not be for those in a hurry.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Yes, of course, all Series 1's. Carruther's Safaris will not be for those in a hurry.

As it should be , when you get to be a safari operator may I suggest a monocle , I believe it we give you even more of a distinguished look like a man capable of finding the mines of Solomon or being the consort of one of zu-vendis queens.

 

[SETH RINGER]

I CAN'T BELIEVE I READ ALL 10 PAGES OF THIS WHOLE THREAD!

 

[CoElkHunter]

I just checked. I have a black 4X beaver felt Stetson (only worn once) and a brown 4X straw Stratton hat. Oughta be good to trade for a couple of boxes of .338WM ammo? LOL

 

[Troubleshooter]

Must be a burden to have such a nuanced appreciation of hats and style.

It can be both a blessing and a curse. Given your own vast knowledge of various subject matter, I'm sure that you can relate.

Of course, Redford was performing for an audience. I was simply focused on maximizing protection from Mozambique’s sun.

Well, that's what actors do; acting, make-believe. Whereas you were doing it for real.
Sort of like the story of when John Wayne met Bull Simons. The Duke greeted him with, "Colonel, you are the man that I play in the movies!"

Congratulations on the LDE. They are impressive animals, didn't realize just how big they are until I saw a shoulder mount. Unfortunately, my house would have no room for one, but I can certainly admire it.

 

[Tanks]

I think I had mentioned that I had Rand's make me a dress hat for a bit more formal occasions. I just found the pictures for them. They put a rush on it for some occasions I had in mind.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Looks good

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree with Your priorities and wouldn’t spend $1500 on any hat - I also wear wool felt brimmed hat when hunting out West ($30?). But some people that appreciate the quality and craftsmanship - as well as tradition - of a hand crafted beaver felt hat may feel differently...and I respect that. Like a Rolex or Timex - both tell time, my friend has several Rolex’s but they just aren’t what I want to spend my $$ on...I wear a Timex and buy a New one every 2 years ($35.). BUT when it comes to adding “upgraded wood” to a stock - I’ll spend that extra $$ everytime. I admitt it’s not practical and the function is Not improved by spending the extra $$

Try a Casio "Forester" next time. About the same price but last a lot longer than similar Timex (that I could not get two year lifespan). Same lighted dial. The date function works but don't mess with it. The stem won't hold up to being pulled out constantly to change dates. Great watch and tough as nails. Bad thing about these cheap quality watches is it's now about impossible to find replacement bands that don't cost more than watches. People just throw them away and buy another.

 

[HankBuck]

I like to For

Try a Casio "Forester" next time. About the same price but last a lot longer than similar Timex (that I could not get two year lifespan). Same lighted dial. The date function works but don't mess with it. The stem won't hold up to being pulled out constantly to change dates. Great watch and tough as nails. Bad thing about these cheap quality watches is it's now about impossible to find replacement bands that don't cost more than watches. People just throw them away and buy another

Try a Casio "Forester" next time. About the same price but last a lot longer than similar Timex (that I could not get two year lifespan). Same lighted dial. The date function works but don't mess with it. The stem won't hold up to being pulled out constantly to change dates. Great watch and tough as nails. Bad thing about these cheap quality watches is it's now about impossible to find replacement bands that don't cost more than watches. People just throw them away and buy another.
View attachment 535720

I like the dial, white face, and hands on the Casio and they are also light weight. If that watch is also very slim and has an Alarm - it meets my criteria. I use to get 4-5 years from a Timex but now 2 years is more common. My cheap watch might also go with my relatively cheap Hat - while I respect a persons style and especially respect “tradition” - I have my own preference for hats (Jones style for most hunting, traditional wool for colder weather). I find the many posts on “Rand Hats” very interesting and it reminds me of my trip to Montana last year and the thought & money some locals put into what hat they wore, they had a high regard for those beaver felt “hand made” hats. If it was just Tourists that would be different but when I heard hard working men describe the thought they put into their hats — I paid attention. Like the respect I have for the British that wear Barbour waxed Cotten vs goretex or rubber wellis that are leather lined....figure the British know something about hunting in the rain.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I like to For


I like the dial, white face, and hands on the Casio and they are also light weight. If that watch is also very slim and has an Alarm - it meets my criteria. I use to get 4-5 years from a Timex but now 2 years is more common. My cheap watch might also go with my relatively cheap Hat - while I respect a persons style and especially respect “tradition” - I have my own preference for hats (Jones style for most hunting, traditional wool for colder weather). I find the many posts on “Rand Hats” very interesting and it reminds me of my trip to Montana last year and the thought & money some locals put into what hat they wore, they had a high regard for those beaver felt “hand made” hats. If it was just Tourists that would be different but when I heard hard working men describe the thought they put into their hats — I paid attention. Like the respect I have for the British that wear Barbour waxed Cotten vs goretex or rubber wellis that are leather lined....figure the British know something about hunting in the rain.

No alarm on that watch but I have a smart phone for that. Much easier to set the alarm on my phone than tiny little dials on a watch. I still have the "tin can" alarm clock with bell on top I used for my horse camp back in the old days. And the fold close windup traveling alarm clock the camp robbing black bear bit back in the early eighties. He was a gentleman. Bit one hole in everything. If tasted good, he tore into it. Otherwise he left it alone. One canine tooth hole completely through that clock but it kept working. He didn't like peas. Can't say as I blame him. One hole through my red corduroy ball cap but it was still serviceable (red was legal for hunting back in those days). Even though that traveling alarm still worked, it barely had enough gas to make it through the day on a single windup so I switched to the "vintage" larger tin can model I found in a second hand store.

 

[Tanks]

Like the respect I have for the British that wear Barbour waxed Cotten vs goretex or rubber wellis that are leather lined....figure the British know something about hunting in the rain.

A jacket very similar to it (also waterproof) is available from Avedon & Colby. I have had it for a number of years and it is my go-to foul weather jacket when traveling. Not to mention about half the price of a Barbour.

The Estate Jacket | Avedon & Colby International Outfitters

Burt Avedon and Susan Colby have been working together as a design team specializing in premium performance clothing for almost 30 years.

avedoncolby.com

 

[SFRanger7GP]

A jacket very similar to it (also waterproof) is available from Avedon & Colby. I have had it for a number of years and it is my go-to foul weather jacket when traveling. Not to mention about half the price of a Barbour.

View attachment 535739

The Estate Jacket | Avedon & Colby International Outfitters

Burt Avedon and Susan Colby have been working together as a design team specializing in premium performance clothing for almost 30 years.

avedoncolby.com

Great looking coat. I just checked and they are a bit higher than Barbour now. I rewaxed my Beaufort last night, so it looks like new again. I buy from Avedon & Colby when they have their sales. Their clothing is expensive, but it lasts and has the classic, timeless look.

Safe travels

 

[Woodcarver]

A properly fitting, well made fur felt won't become a sail in the wind, and isn't necessarily hot in a warmer climate. Nor insufficient to keep my head and ears warm in a blizzard (without a string). And comparing one to a crushable wool felt indicates, to me anyway, that someone hasn't ever had a properly fitting, well made fur felt hat.
It's a rare day that I'm without a hat. Not sure I'd want to take the time to find and count the hats scattered here. Typically the days activities will dictate a particular type/style, from a cotton welder's cap, to a baseball hat, to a Stormy Kromer, to a fur cowboy hat. If there isn't a need to wear some particular type, there will be a fur felt covering my silver locks (not keen on straws, even in the summer). A few that are still in regular use are 40+ years old; a couple have an extra vent or two, just makes them breathe better.
I'm pretty sure there's at least 1 of most commercial brands of cowboy hats around here, Stetson, Bailey, American, Resistol, etc., but the best out of the box fit and best quality hat here, is a Rand. Took it out and put it on, fit was as good as the Stetson I've worn since the early '80s. Spending a few extra bucks on quality is never wasted money.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Just got an email that the hat I had ordered last year is ready and being shipped Monday. Here are the pictures they sent. I wanted it to be ready before my October hunt and they exceeded my expectations. Drover style 20X beaver with custom bead hat band with a light distress.

View attachment 533670

View attachment 533671

View attachment 533672

@Tanks
You should have just bought a good Australian AKUBRA. It will give you years of faithful service and comes in a lot of different styles.
Bob

 

[samson7x]

Reviving this a bit with a question in the hat genre but not specific to Rand's. Where would one send a felt hat for reconditioning and possibly resizing? I inherited my grandfather's hat and would like to have this done so that I could wear it on my future hunts and adventures. I only need to go up maybe 1/4 at most.